Abstract: A solar cell structure may provide a front surface that may include a front passivation layer and front anti-reflective layer. The solar cell structure may provide both contacts on a rear surface. In some cases, the rear surface may optionally provide passivation, doped, and/or transparent conductive oxide layers. The rear surface also provides a multilayer foil assembly (MFA). The MFA provides a first metal foil in electrical communication with doped regions of the rear surface of the substrate, such as base or emitter regions. The MFA may also provide a second metal foil that is spaced apart from the first metal foil by a dielectric layer. The first metal foil and/or the dielectric layer may include openings through the entirety of these layers, and these openings may be utilized to form laser fired contacts electrically coupled to the second metal foil, which is electrically isolated from the first metal foil.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described herein for sharing content, including, but not limited to, storing, by a viewing device, a predetermined time interval of a most recent portion of an output stream received from a server. The viewing device detects a trigger event, and in response to the trigger event, converts at least a part of the stored most recent portion of the output stream into a video.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods are described herein for interactive streaming among a broadcasting device and a plurality of viewing devices, including, but not limited to, receiving, by a server, a request from the broadcasting device to output content captured by the plurality of viewing devices as an output stream. The server queues the plurality of viewing devices for displaying the content in the output stream sequentially. The server receives the content from each of the plurality of viewing devices. The server stitches the content from each of the plurality of viewing devices into the same output stream for displaying the content in real time.

Abstract: Described herein is a strain gauge and a method of making the strain gauge. The strain gauge includes a single conductive filament having a first end, a second end and a measuring length between the first end and the second end. The measuring length is arranged in a planar serpentine pattern. The measuring length has a first cross-sectional area. The first end and second end each have a cross-sectional area greater than the first cross-sectional area.

Abstract: Personalized services often utilize individual profiles, such as social network profiles, product purchase histories, or browsing histories. However, personalization may exhibit or imply a familiarity level between the service and the individual that is beyond the individual's comfort level. Presented herein are techniques for adapting personalized services to request supplemental individual information only within a current familiarity stage that has been established by the individual with the service, and only to provide a requested usage of a service. Such solicitation may inform the individual of the intended usage of the requested information. Usages that may involve more sensitive information may be predicated upon requesting and receiving individual consent from the individual to advance to a higher familiarity stage.

Abstract: A two-tier heat transfer system and method for its use includes a first cooking medium delivery system which is controlled by a measured state of a commercial oven's cook chamber relative to a predetermined set point and a second cooking medium delivery system which is not controlled by the measured state or set point. Each delivery system can deliver a same or different cooking medium than the other, at the same or different performance characteristics, and in a different type of flow pattern.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a continuous cooking system includes a non-metallic counter-balance having a contact bar located toward its uppermost end and a load located toward its lowermost end. The contact bar is sized to span a useable width of the belt and the load is sized to urge the contact bar into continued contact with a portion of the belt as the belt travels around the end roller. Means such as a rotational joint is provided for pivoting the counter-balance toward and away from belt, the joint being arranged to provide a predetermined amount of travel relative to the belt. Means such as a slot is provided for adjusting a position of the counter-balance relative to the belt. The uppermost product-contact surface of the bar can be round, flat, or angled and can include grooves to reduce the amount of contact area.

Abstract: A process for producing precooked bacon slices comprising the steps of (a) conveying bacon slices through a spiral oven, (b) indirectly cooking the bacon slices in the spiral oven using a cooking medium which is circulated within the oven at a low rate sufficient to prevent the bacon slices from being displaced on the conveyor, and (c) adding steam to the cooking medium as necessary to at least reduce the percentage or substantially eliminate the presence of air in the cooking medium.

Abstract: An improved spiral oven and method for its use includes the step of using a forward/reversing fan to produce a first airflow and a second inverted airflow in the cooking chamber. The proportion of time each airflow occurs may be unbalanced within an oven residence time or cook cycle, and either airflow may begin the cycle. In addition, the fan velocity may vary so that the speed of the first airflow is different from the speed of the second airflow. A braking resistor allows the fan to quickly changeover between full-forward and full-reverse directions, while a programmable delay limits adjustments to the heat output control method until temperature variations caused by alternating between the first direction of rotation and the second direction of rotation have stabilized. Because of the reversing airflow pattern, the product cooks more evenly across the cook belt.

Abstract: A metal part is hot formed by placing a metal part blank on a forming tool and installing a fabric cover over the forming tool, overlying the metal part blank. The fabric is at least partially wrapped around the metal part blank. The metal part blank is heated to a temperature sufficient to allow forming of the metal part blank. Forming pressure is applied to the metal part blank that conforms the metal part blank to the forming tool by tensioning the fabric.

Abstract: A transfer mechanism for use in a continuous cooking system includes a non-metallic counter-balance having a contact bar located toward its uppermost end and a load located toward its lowermost end. The contact bar is sized to span a useable width of the belt and the load is sized to urge the contact bar into continued contact with a portion of the belt as the belt travels around the end roller. A rotational joint is provided for pivoting the counter-balance toward and away from belt, the joint being arranged to provide a predetermined amount of travel relative to the belt. A slot is provided for adjusting a position of the counter-balance relative to the belt. The uppermost product-contact surface of the bar can be round, flat, or angled and can include grooves to reduce the amount of contact area.

Abstract: An interdigitated solar cell may provide a heterojunction or tunnel junction emitter and base contacts that comprise laser processed regions that electrically couple the base contact to a substrate. Methods for manufacturing such solar cells to provide interdigitated back contacts may utilize laser processing to form laser processed regions that are isolated from the emitter. Laser processing may include laser-doping, laser-firing, laser-transfer, laser-transfer doping, laser contacting, and/or gas immersion laser doping.

Abstract: A vertical cutting apparatus for cooked meat products which can be installed on the outlet of a spiral oven or other heating apparatus for directly receiving and cutting the cooked product in sterile condition while still hot in order to prevent cross-contamination of either the (a) sliced, cubed, diced, or shred cut product or (b) the cutting apparatus. The hot product can also be delivered directly from the vertical cutting apparatus into its final product packaging and immediately vacuum seal for further product safety.

Abstract: A dialysis system includes a disposable cassette including a flexible sheet and a plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, a plurality of actuators operable with the flexible sheet to direct dialysis fluid through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, and a controller configured to (i) determine at least one limitation of the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways, (ii) generate a flow schedule indicating how dialysis fluid should be directed through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways in accordance with the at least one limitation, and (iii) control the plurality of actuators so that dialysis fluid is pumped through the plurality of dialysis fluid pathways according to the flow schedule.

Abstract: An extension arm for attachment to a resistance welding hand piece is disclosed. The extension arm may include an elongated main body extending between a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated main body may be attachable to the hand piece such that the second end of the elongated main body is spaced apart from the hand piece. The extension arm also may include an electrode extending from the second end of the elongated main body. The electrode may be in electrical communication with the hand piece by way of at least one electrical pathway.

Abstract: An apparatus, a loop burner element, and a method for surface-roasting a food product wherein the roasting apparatus comprises (a) a conveyor which carries the food product and (b) at least one non-linear ribbon flame burner element or element assembly which preferably applies a ribbon flame to at least the upper and side surfaces of the food product as it is conducted through the roasting apparatus.

Abstract: In some cases, it is desirable to perform doping when manufacturing a solar cell to improve efficiency. Dopant diffusion may include the steps of: (a) an initial temperature ramp, (b) dopant vapor flow, (c) drive-in, and (d) cool down. However, doping may result in excessive doping, such as in regions where the solar cell has been nanoscale textured to provide black silicon, thereby creating a dead zone with excessive recombination of charge carriers. In the systems and method discussed herein, dopant vapor flow and drive-in steps may be performed at two different temperature set points to minimize or eliminate the formation of dead zones. In some embodiments, the dopant vapor flow may be performed at a lower temperature set point than the drive-in.

Abstract: A system and method for pasteurizing the surface of a food product includes a flame pasteurizing means arranged to transfer heat to an outer layer of the food product as it is carried by a cook belt. The flame pasteurizing means provides a medium that engulfs more than 50% of the surface area of the skin or outer layer and raises the temperature of the outer layer to at least 145° F. (about 62.8° C.). A washing means, arranged at an exit point of the flame pasteurizing means, removes the raised temperature outer layer and stops heat transfer to an adjacent inner layer of the food product. The pasteurized and washed product retains the same color and flavor as that of the unpasteurized product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for etching the surface of a substrate may utilize a thin layer of fluid to etch a substrate for improved anti-reflective properties. The substrate may be secured with a holding fixture that is capable of positioning the substrate. A fluid comprising an acid and an oxidizer for etching may be prepared, which may optionally include a metal catalyst. An amount of fluid necessary to form a thin layer contacting the surface of the substrate to be etched may be dispensed. The fluid may be spread into the thin layer utilizing a tray that the substrate is dipped into, a plate that is placed near the surface of the substrate to be etched, or a spray or coating device.

Abstract: Personalized services often utilize individual profiles, such as social network profiles, product purchase histories, or browsing histories. However, personalization may exhibit or imply a familiarity level between the service and the individual that is beyond the individual's comfort level. Presented herein are techniques for adapting personalized services to request supplemental individual information only within a current familiarity stage that has been established by the individual with the service, and only to provide a requested usage of a service. Such solicitation may inform the individual of the intended usage of the requested information. Usages that may involve more sensitive information may be predicated upon requesting and receiving individual consent from the individual to advance to a higher familiarity stage.